Free State, packed with representatives from Grey College in Bloemfontein and their opponents Western Province, were both unbeaten going into the match.

The match was won in the final minute when fullback Craig Barry scored the winning try to break Free State hearts.

Western Province got the scoreboard ticking early with a drop by flyhalf William van Wyk only for Free State to hit back through a great try by fullback Riaan Britz and conversion by flyhalf Johan Goosen who kicked steadily all week.

The battle between two big packs and that of the backlines were a feature of the game throughout.

Free State went further head when an attempted clearance was charged down by Goosen and he scored under the posts to convert himself. Province replied with a penalty by Van Wyk. (14-6).

Van Wyk then missed an easy penalty eight minutes from halftime after Province had pushed hard and both teams took turns to attack leading into the break. .

The second half was as action-filled as the first with Free State bagging a penalty before giving away an unconverted try. At 17-11 a win for either side was still up for grabs.

Province lock Nizaam Carr came close to scoring, left wing John-Ronald Esterhuizen split open the Free State defence and suddenly Free State looked shaky with 21 minutes to go.

Under pressure, Free State gave away one penalty, the gap closing to 17-14. They were lucky though as Van Wyk had missed three other attempts.

The yellow carding of flank Oscar Limani didn’t make it easier for Free State who had finallyb worked their way into province territory and with seven minutes left it was still anybody’s game.

Something had to give and it did when Province fullback Barry  kicked ahead, gathered and went over for the winning try.

Border, coached by Brant Janse van Rensburg did their province proud, fully deserving the applause at the final whistle.

A nervous Border were in the early stages outplayed in the first half making too many errors and battling to get into stride.

The Pumas took full advantage a penalty kicked by fullback Ulrich Beyers and solo power try to loosehead prop Jacques Kotze giving them an 8-0 lead.

However Border hit back when dynamic flanker Chris Cloete went over from a lineout maul for Sabbagh, who had missed two earlier penalty chances, to convert after 20 minutes (8-7).

Border then gave away another penalty after a good Puma build-up but they then put in a good passage of play to force a penalty converted by Sabbagh on halftime to trail 11-10.

A converted try to Border fullback Olunje Gwampi after a great run and pass by centre Andile Jho got Border off to the best possible start after the break and into a 17-11 lead before the Pumas kicked a penalty.

Their tails up, Border scorched to a 24-14 lead when left wing Leon Makiwane went over in the left hand corner with Sabbagh again converting.

.This was followed by a second try to flank Cloete leaving the Pumas a steep mountain to climb but with time left.

Border were responsible for some outstanding defence as the Pumas mounted desperate attacks while reserve lock Louis Nell did some outstanding jumping at two in the lineout.

The try of the game came when Jho beat the Pumas defence hands down in a brilliant 30-metre solo effort, Sabbagh’s conversion making it 36-14 with 10 minutes left

Border’s final converted try went to their other outstanding flank Roelof Roodt near fulltime.

Border centre Jho was named man of the match. – Brian McLean

In the opening game of the final day of the Coca Cola U18 Craven Week at the Border Rugby Stadium Saturday, Namibia and Zimbabwe played to a 34-34 draw to share a ninth place finish. Writes Brian McLean

Namibia, well served by fiery lock and man of the match Paul Willemse, led 20-19 at halftime after a free-flowing half with both teams running in five good tries each.

Zimbabwe then took an early lead through a goal and penalty to lead 29-27 and had the better of play for most of the second half again, scoring an unconverted try by David Watson.

But Namibia, digging deep, hit back eight minutes from time to force a draw at 34-34, when centre Johan Deysel went over and converted for the draw of the tournament.

SA ACADEMY vs GOLDEN LIONS

The Lions finished seventh after beating the SA Academy XV 37-8. They played attacking rugby in the first half to lead 17-3.

Although loaded with talent and individual flair, the SA Academy seldom got it together through the week

The Lions backline was impressive when they got the ball while the SA Academy struggled to round off their scoring opportunities in the face of stern defence.

Following a penalty to the Lions by fullback Garth April, a hard second half was hall marked by a brilliant unconverted try to SA Academy fullback Kieran Goss

It was a little too late though with April booting another penalty and centre Bradley Moolman dummying his way over for a converted try for the Lions and a 30-8 lead.

This was followed up with a further converted try by loose forward Stephan Nel.

Lions centre Jared Meyer was man of the match.

 BLUE BULLS vs KWAZULU-NATAL

KwaZulu-Natal and the Blue Bulls who both played solid rugby through the week gave another fine exhibition in the final Craven Week match.

After a see-saw tussle until the end it was eventually won by the Bulls who earned a fifth place finish by winning 25-22.

The Sharks though are congratulated on a fine week.Unfortunately they lost to the Cheetahs in their opening match costing them a higher placed play-off.

It was 8-8 after 15 minutes from a  try and penalty each with the Bulls showing up well in the second quarter of the half, a penalty giving them an 11-8 halftime lead.

The tactical kicking of Bulls flyhalf A Jantjies handed his side slight territorial advantage but Natal fullback Orefile Nakin often sparked attacks while outstanding left wing Gary Schwarz always dangerous but well marked.

The second half was as fiercely contested as the first with the Sharks trying hard to hunt down the lead but it was the Bulls who went further head when right wing Andries Kruger scored a lovely converted try after just eight minutes (18-8).

Natal hit back through winger Schwarz, the conversion making it 18-15 with 20 minutes left.

Both teams then scored goals the Bulls in the lead at 25-22. A Natal penalty was wide and a further try scoring chance to them was knocked on.

At the death a further missed penalty cost Natal the game.

Zimbabwe vs Namibia – 07:45

Griquas CD vs Border CD – 09:00

Boland vs SA LSEN – 09:00

SA Academy vs Lions – 09:15

Limpopo vs Griquas – 10:00

Valke vs Griffons – 10:20

Blue Bulls vs KZN – 10:25

SWD vs EP CD – 11:40

Leopards vs EP – 11:40

Border vs Pumas – 11:45

WP vs Free State – 13:15

“The selectors will have a very difficult job this week as the standard is much higher than last year. The boys are not only talented but they have the discipline and the passion.

“The clean rugby played here is a good advert for youngsters who want to start taking rugby seriously,” said Mtya who currently works as a rugby ambassador for the Department of Sports Arts and Culture.

Mtya, earned his Springbok colours when representing the SARU 15 in 1991 and the first black play to wear Border colours, also in 1991, paving the way for stalwarts like Apples Fortuin, Khaya Malotana and the like.

Mtya was speaking at the Craven Week festival yesterday, a day after witnessing the all-conquering Western Province pip a gallant Lions outfit 26-21 in a match the Kwelrha-born Mtya described as the “match of the tournament so far”.

“I think Western Province are the playing the best rugby… they should play in the final against the Blue Bulls.

“They actually remind me of the Border team I used to play in, which was captained by current Border CEO Leon Botha.”

High praise indeed for the youngsters from the Western Cape!

On his home team, Mtya said that while he believed they were among the top five teams at the festival, he felt “teamwork was lacking”.

“The boys have played well but they are not playing as a team. It’s like they don’t trust each other and in rugby when you don’t pass the ball you end up making silly mistakes”.

He also believed that the team was better organized as compared to last year and paid tribute to  coach Brent janse van Rensburg and the players’ parents.

“The coach has improved the team and the parents have got more involved this year and that has shown in their performances.”

Mtya also had a message for the underperforming Bulldogs: “The seniors must toe the line. They have the support from the people, especially from the rural areas, and it’s now up to them to perform.”

Thursday, July 16

Griffons 36 – 13 SA LSEN

EP CD 25 – 18 Boland

Zimbabwe 41 – 0 Border CD

KZN 23 – 0 SA Academy

Limpopo 11 – 26 Leopards

Blue Bulls 13  – 32 Free State